MLI vs. XLE

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MLI (Mueller Industries, Inc.) is a stock, while XLE (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF) is Energy Equities fund tracking the Energy Select Sector Index. Over the past 10 years, MLI returned 26.29%/yr vs 10.22%/yr for XLE. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

MLI vs. XLE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Mueller Industries, Inc. (MLI) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MLI achieves a 14.78% return, which is significantly lower than XLE's 32.17% return. Over the past 10 years, MLI has outperformed XLE with an annualized return of 26.29%, while XLE has yielded a comparatively lower 10.22% annualized return.

MLI

• 1D: 0.60%
• 1M: 0.38%
• YTD: 14.78%
• 6M: 18.33%
• 1Y: 68.84%
• 3Y*: 51.13%
• 5Y*: 43.33%
• 10Y*: 26.29%

XLE

• 1D: 1.29%
• 1M: -1.14%
• YTD: 32.17%
• 6M: 29.80%
• 1Y: 45.00%
• 3Y*: 17.46%
• 5Y*: 20.44%
• 10Y*: 10.22%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

MLI vs. XLE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MLI Mueller Industries, Inc.	14.78%	46.29%	70.51%	62.38%	1.05%	70.95%	12.30%	37.79%	-33.10%	-2.76%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	32.17%	7.88%	5.56%	-0.63%	64.32%	53.28%	-32.67%	11.74%	-18.22%	-0.89%

Correlation

The correlation between MLI and XLE is 0.04, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.04
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.27
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.34
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.44
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 23, 1998	0.46

Over the past year, the correlation between MLI and XLE has dropped to 0.04 - well below their long-term average of 0.46, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

MLI vs. XLE — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

MLI

MLI Risk / Return Rank: 86
MLI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
MLI Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
MLI Omega Ratio Rank: 88
MLI Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
MLI Martin Ratio Rank: 84

XLE

XLE Risk / Return Rank: 63
XLE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
XLE Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
XLE Omega Ratio Rank: 56
XLE Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
XLE Martin Ratio Rank: 60

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

MLI vs. XLE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Mueller Industries, Inc. (MLI) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	MLI	XLE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.30	2.21	+0.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.87	2.84	+0.03
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.35	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.10	3.75	-0.65
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.58	10.92	-2.34
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MLI vs. XLE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MLI Sharpe Ratio is 2.30, which is comparable to the XLE Sharpe Ratio of 2.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MLI and XLE, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	MLI	XLE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.30	2.21	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.32	0.79	+0.53
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74	0.35	+0.39
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.49	0.31	+0.18

Drawdowns

MLI vs. XLE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MLI drawdown since its inception was -61.72%, smaller than the maximum XLE drawdown of -71.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MLI and XLE.

Drawdown Indicators

	MLI	XLE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.72%	-71.26%	+9.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-22.33%	-12.05%	-10.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.79%	-20.14%	-7.65%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.79%	-26.04%	-1.75%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-52.95%	-66.81%	+13.86%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.73%	-6.15%	-0.58%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.05%	-17.98%	+1.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.05%	4.14%	+3.91%

Volatility

MLI vs. XLE - Volatility Comparison

Mueller Industries, Inc. (MLI) has a higher volatility of 11.02% compared to State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) at 8.25%. This indicates that MLI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MLI	XLE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.02%	8.25%	+2.77%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	25.74%	16.58%	+9.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	30.10%	20.53%	+9.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	33.04%	26.02%	+7.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	35.76%	29.59%	+6.17%

Dividends

MLI vs. XLE - Dividend Comparison

MLI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.84%, less than XLE's 2.54% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MLI Mueller Industries, Inc.	0.84%	0.87%	1.01%	1.27%	1.69%	0.88%	1.14%	1.26%	1.71%	9.60%	0.94%	1.11%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.54%	3.28%	3.36%	3.55%	3.68%	4.21%	5.62%	6.72%	3.54%	3.03%	2.26%	3.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MLI and XLE in my portfolio?

MLI and XLE have a correlation of 0.04, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MLI or XLE?

MLI has higher volatility (11.02%) compared to XLE (8.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MLI dropped -61.72% vs XLE's -71.26%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MLI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.30 vs 2.21), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.